Many assumed the decision to skip Chris Sale's start Sunday was made to enable the Chicago White Sox left-hander to pitch in the All-Star Game. But pitching coach Don Cooper said Thursday that the decison to give Sale an extended midseason break was made back in spring training. “We've done this for years,” Cooper told "The Mully & Hanley Show" on WSCR-AM 670. “We did it for (Mark) Buehrle. We did it last year, we went to a six-man rotation. But it's not only for (Sale), it's for everybody.

The Sports Xchange MLB Team Report - New York Yankees - INSIDE PITCH Ivan Nova called his final start of the spring "one of the worst days of my life," but the 25-year-old shook off his poor exhibition season and delivered a performance the Yankees badly needed. Nova allowed two runs on 10 hits over seven innings, striking out seven batters without issuing a walk to lead the Yankees to a 6-2 win over the Orioles, their first victory of the 2012 season. "Everything was working," Nova said.

Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training soon, followed by position players and, yes, broadcasters. Veteran Cubs radio play-by-play man Pat Hughes is waiting to learn who his new WGN-AM 720 color analyst will be, following the passing of Ron Santo last month. WGN general manager Tom Langmyer said he hopes to announce a replacement before spring training starts. Our industry sources tell us Keith Moreland and Dave Otto appear to be the two finalists, barring any late developments.

Memo to Major League Baseball: Never, under any circumstances, make spring training last more than six weeks again. In deference to the World Baseball Classic, players reported Feb. 13 this year, with most season openers set for April 6. It might have seemed like a good idea at the time, when planners anticipated the game's best players following unofficial American captain Derek Jeter into the WBC, but it was a mistake. Teams don't need 39 exhibition games to get ready, as the Cubs are scheduled to play.

An extra week of spring training has an added benefit for White Sox first baseman and North Scottsdale resident Paul Konerko. "It seems like every year, the older you get, the more you need it," Konerko said. The added spring training, caused by the World Baseball Classic, tested some young players like third baseman Josh Fields, who said he felt mentally ready last week. But for many players, the extra week allowed them more time to prepare for a 162-game season and let manager Ozzie Guillen and the coaching staff devote more time to experimenting and evaluating.

MESA, Ariz. — An upbeat Tom Ricketts gave his opening remarks to Cubs players on a windy day at Fitch Park, telling them he hopes to "build on the momentum" that ended the 2010 season. The Cubs chairman was visibly relaxed starting his second season as an owner after stumbling through his first season with a fifth-place club and sagging attendance. Despite a payroll cut and reduced expectations, Ricketts told the media the Cubs goals will remain the same as they were in 2010.

Barry Bonds is expected to miss much of spring training following arthroscopic surgery Monday on his right knee, but the San Francisco Giants slugger should recover in plenty of time to resume his chase of Hank Aaron's home run record in April. The seven-time NL MVP had a "minor arthritis cleanup" and also had a small meniscus tear repaired. Giants trainer Stan Conte expects Bonds to return for at least the final two weeks of spring training, and the 40-year-old should be back to full strength by Opening Day. "He recovers well," Conte said.

Players who advance to the final stages of the first baseball World Cup would not be with their major-league teams for most of spring training next year. Under the proposal being formulated by the commissioner's office, the 16-nation tournament would start on March 4 in Asia and begin in the United States and Puerto Rico on March 9, several baseball officials told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Many players would be excited to perform for national teams, among them White Sox pitcher Esteban Loaiza, who would play for Mexico.